Samsung to Extend Lead Over Apple in 2013 [Strategy Analytics]

Samsung is expected to extend its smartphone lead over Apple in 2013 with an estimated 35% growth, according Strategy Analytics.

"We expect Samsung to slightly extend its lead over Apple this year because of its larger multitier product portfolio," Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics told Reuters. However, it's suggested that Apple could counter Samsung's growth with the release of an 'iPhone mini' that targeted demand for lower-end smartphones.

Global smartphone shipments will jump 27 percent to 875 million shipments this year, slowing from last year's torrid 41 percent pace as growth is easing in many key markets such as North America, China, the developed economies of Asia, and Western Europe, Mawston said. South Korea's Samsung Electronics is forecast to sell 290 million smartphones this year, up from a projected 215 million in 2012, the research firm said. Apple's smartphone sales are projected to reach 180 million this year, up 33 percent from last year, slightly trailing Samsung's 35 percent increase.

These predictions would give Samsung 33% of the smartphone market in 2013 (up from 31%) and Apple 21% (up from 20%).